Leeds boss Gracia defends selection for Arsenal defeat

Football
4 Apr 2023 • 3:00 PM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

Tribal Football covers news from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A

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Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia has defended his team selection against Arsenal.

Many fans were disappointed at how the Elland Road club chose to set up against the Gunners.

Brenden Aaronson was playing as a false nine up front, while Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford were on the bench.

Pascal Struijk also played over Liam Cooper, who is the usual starter.

"I expect a more offensive game for us than the last one," explained Gracia regarding how he will change up his team to play Nottingham Forest.

"Against Arsenal you say what you want but at the end of the game it was 53 per cent possession for us. Of course we have to know a way of having that amount of possession and try to be offensive and be brave. I think we did it with five shots on target, Arsenal had six shots on target. We competed well.

"Now, playing at home I expect a different game and a more offensive game with more possession and most importantly a better result. I have to keep an eye on the next games and keep an eye on the games my players played before in international teams. The line-up, I was thinking those players and that formation was the best to play against Arsenal in that moment."